“It is always easier to listen…” is a masterclass in human psychology. It’s about disarming defensiveness to make your real message land.
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Meaning
At its core, this is about strategic communication. You’re not just softening a blow; you’re priming someone to actually hear you by first validating their worth.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out a thousand times in meetings and performance reviews. When you lead with genuine, specific praise, you’re doing something powerful. You’re telling the other person’s brain, “This is a safe conversation. We’re on the same team.” You lower the defensive shield. And once that shield is down, the constructive part—the actual criticism—doesn’t feel like an attack. It feels like helpful guidance from an ally. It’s the difference between handing someone a bitter pill and wrapping it in a little bit of food. They’re far more likely to swallow it.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3681) |
| Category | Education (266) |
| Topics | criticism (17), feedback (10), growth (413), praise (12) |
| Literary Style | clear (348), insightful (43) |
| Emotion / Mood | realistic (356) |
| Overall Quote Score | 75 (124) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Dale Carnegie’s legendary 1936 book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, published in the United States. It’s a cornerstone of his principle on how to criticize without causing resentment. You’ll sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, but this is the original, properly attributed source.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Dale Carnegie (419) |
| Source Type | Book (4043) |
| Source/Book Name | How to Win Friends and Influence People (99) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Modern (540) |
| Original Language | English (3681) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4043) |
Author Bio
Dale Carnegie(1888), an American writer received worldwide recognition for his influential books on relationship, leadership, and public speaking. His books and courses focus on human relations, and self confidence as the foundation for success. Among his timeless classics, the Dale Carnegie book list includes How to Win Friends and Influence People is the most influential which inspires millions even today for professional growth.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | It is always easier to listen to criticism after you have heard some praise |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1936 original, Revised Edition 1981, ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780671723651, Last edition. Number of pages: Revised Edition 1981, approx 291 pages |
| Where is it? | Part Four: Be a Leader, Chapter 8 |